LeBron James and Jayson Tatum will go head-to-head for the 15th time on Saturday.
The NBA’s most iconic rivalry returns in primetime as the Los Angeles Lakers visit the Boston Celtics this Saturday (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC).
For the first time in 40 years, both teams enter a regular-season matchup at least 50 games into the season ranked among the top two of their respective conferences. The last time this happened was Feb. 17, 1985, when Magic Johnson’s Lakers outdueled Larry Bird’s Celtics, 117-111, in L.A.
Fast forward to 2025, and with just over five weeks left in the regular season, both teams are surging toward the playoffs, each with its formula for racking up wins.
When the Lakers paired Luka Dončić with LeBron James before the trade deadline, most expected an offensive clinic. Instead, their lockdown defense is fueling an eight-game win streak as the Lakers are 8-2 in their last 10 games and lead the NBA in defensive rating (107.1) in that span.
“Team defense … our group is committed to it right now,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said following Monday’s practice. “We have some really good defenders, but you have to play a team defense and rely on each other.
Dončić, known for his unstoppable offensive tenacity, has embraced the Lakers’ new-found defensive identity. On Thursday, he snagged four of the Lakers’ seven steals in a gritty overtime win against the Knicks, sealing the game with a fadeaway jumper and a deep three in extra time. His ability to disrupt passing lanes will be critical against Boston’s perimeter-heavy attack.
Offensively, Dončić has seamlessly fit alongside James, notching back-to-back double-doubles. His 30-point, 15-assist, eight-rebound performance against New Orleans on March 4 made him just the fourth Lakers player to post 30-plus points and 15-plus assists. Only Magic Johnson, Jerry West and James have accomplished this in team history. He and James also became the first Lakers duo ever to score 30-plus points and five or more made 3-pointers in the same game.
James, even in his 22nd season, remains dominant. In 14 matchups against Jayson Tatum, their stats are nearly identical: James (25.6 ppg, 2.3 3-pointers made) vs. Tatum (25 ppg, 2.5 3-pointers made). Meanwhile, Dončić has historically dominated against the Celtics, ranking third all-time in points per game vs. Boston (29.9 ppg).
With L.A. holding opponents to 30.7% from three over their last eight games, their ability to contest Boston’s outside shooting will be a deciding factor.
After breaking the tie with the Lakers for the most NBA titles (18) last June, the Celtics have remained second in the Eastern Conference despite some midseason injuries.
Their longest losing streak this season? Just two games, a testament to their depth and consistency.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown continue to set the tone, combining for 50 ppg and ranking sixth among NBA duos in total points (2,754). But the real story is Boston’s three-point shooting — the heart of their offensive identity.
The Celtics attempt the most 3-pointers per game in the league, with 53.3% of their shots coming from deep. They also make the most (17.9 per game) and do so efficiently (37.2%). Their bench is shooting 38.9% from deep on 13.8 attempts per game.
Reserve guard Payton Pritchard has been a major spark, leading all bench players with 207 3-pointers made this season. Boston’s perimeter weapons have been historic. Jayson Tatum, Derrick White and Pritchard are the third trio in NBA history to each record 200+ threes per game in the same season.
Two more facts to know:
With both teams’ identities peaking, Saturday’s matchup has all the makings of another classic in this legendary rivalry.
